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Glite Dictionary
improperium

improperium

9.9
A sung call and response in the Good Friday service where Christ blames the people
  • noun
  • /ɪmˈprɒpəriəm/
  • Literature
: improperio
  • During the Good Friday liturgy, the choir sang the improperia with haunting reverence.

Examples

  • The improperia are an integral part of traditional Catholic Holy Week services.

  • Many worshippers find the improperia to be deeply moving expressions of Christ's remonstrance.

  • The improperium is sung on Good Friday.

  • The choir sang the improperium beautifully during the service.

  • During the Good Friday liturgy, the choir sang the improperia with haunting reverence.

  • Many worshippers find the improperia to be deeply moving expressions of Christ's remonstrance.

  • The improperia are an integral part of traditional Catholic Holy Week services.

Surface Forms

improperium singular
improperia plural

Etymology

Improperium comes from a Latin word meaning 'reproach' and is the source of the church term improperia, the sung 'reproaches' where Christ speaks to his people on Good Friday. So today improperium refers to those sung answers, the lines of reproach in the liturgy.